PROTECTING THE LAST TRUE FRONTIER THE SEA COMPRISES OVER 70% OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE WITH A BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND COMPLEXITY THAT FAR EXCEEDS THAT OF TERRESTRIAL EARTH. OUR WATER PLANET Can you remember the first time you saw That single moment led to a life-time’s SOSF is well respected for the the sea: the waves crashing on the beach fascination – since then, he has spent innovative and pioneering marine and water stretching far away to the most of his life near or underneath research work that it has supported horizon? The Founder of Save Our Seas the water, exploring the great oceans and undertaken. It has helped to Foundation (SOSF), born in the heart of of the world and discovering the create awareness around issues of the desert, caught his first glimpse of marine creatures that inhabit them. pollution, over fishing, land the ocean as a boy and fell in love with Passionate about this underwater reclamation and climate change, and is the seas and the magical other world world to which we owe so much and fully engaged with educating children that they revealed. yet know so little about, his wish was about the role they have to play in to give something back, to nurture preserving the oceans. and invest for future generations. Establishing SOSF, a marine conservation charity, was the fulfilment of that dream. 2 SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION – HOW ONE MAN’S VISION BECAME A REALITY. 3 TROUBLED WATERS A billion people a year rely on the sea Alongside this, the pollution of our In February 2005, the Kyoto Agreement for their daily food source. In another ocean waters is destroying marine came in effect with a commitment to 10 to 20 years, millions more will habitats, threatening the very reduce green-house gas emissions to depend on this same resource. At the existence of many species. Bound up less than that of 1990; bringing global current fishing rate, there will be far in this cycle are the vast quantities pollution down 5.2% by 2012. It is less ocean life to sustain a much higher of krill, tiny planktonic crustaceans, hoped that this will help to reverse, or world population. Technology has that provide a vital link in the global at least halt, the damage done to date. accelerated, increasing the commercial food chain to feed some of the largest During the summer of 2006, a joint fishing industry's ability to locate and and smallest creatures in the sea. report from the United Nations harvest vast amounts of fish stock. The Eliminating any of these food sources Environment Program (UNEP) and the techniques employed are often cruel creates devastating consequences. World Conservation Union (IUCN) called and indiscriminate: long lines and drift The effects of climate change have on governments to take swift and wide- nets are amongst the most insidious already been well documented with ranging actions to conserve the world’s killers of sea life. They snare everything unusually high sea temperatures entire marine environment amid fears that falls within their path from sea destroying coral reefs and vast that humankind’s exploitation of the lions and dolphins to rare basking numbers of fish. The tsunami, that hit deep seas and open oceans is rapidly sharks and even endangered whales. Asia in late 2004, had a devastating passing the point of no return. “Well The practice of shark finning (removing effect on the lives of the people of over 60% of the marine world and its the fins for food) has skyrocketed the area and again highlighted the rich biodiversity, found beyond the and the World Wildlife Federation need to protect and preserve the limits of national jurisdiction, is estimates that up to 100 million sharks marine environment. All the evidence are killed every year. suggests that the impact was much worse where the healthy mangroves and coral reefs – natural defences – had been destroyed or degraded by irresponsible coastal development for industry or tourism. 4 vulnerable and at increasing risk,” said Whilst this confirms what biologists and Ibrahim Thiaw, Acting Director General environmentalist have been saying for of IUCN. “Governments must urgently many years now, this focus on raising develop the guidelines, rules and actions the public’s awareness of the impact needed to bridge this gulf. Otherwise and effect that fisheries, pollution and we stand to lose and to irrevocably global climate change are having on the damage unique wildlife and critical marine world can only bring about ecosystems, many of which moderate positive change. It is not the politicians our very existence on the planet.” who drive the agenda for preserving and conserving the planet, but rather the In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on people – knowing that we all have the Climate Change reported unequivocal ability to make a difference by the warming of the climate system, causing actions we take every day. rising sea levels and water temperatures with devastating effects on the marine environment. 5 SOSF HAS ESTABLISHED A SOUND AND STABLE PROJECT PORTFOLIO IN A BROAD SPECTRUM OF MARINE AREAS MAKING A DIFFERENCE From six inaugural projects initiated in “This project brought together a We provided a long-range performance 2002, SOSF has to date funded over 55 number of things that have become patrol boat that has enabled the park projects in 30 countries around the world central to the work that SOSF strives rangers patrolling the Cocos Island – an incredible result in such a short space to achieve: contributing to the bigger Marine Reserve, off the coast of time. SOSF Executive Director, Chris picture in terms of global marine of Costa Rica, to dramatically reduce Clarke talks about how this has been conservation and showing that, by the illegal fishing of the scalloped achieved and about future plans that our actions, we can help to make a hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) will build on the success so far. difference. By raising awareness and that frequent the waters. implementing initiatives about the Research into the ecology of the silky We financed the M-Sea marine plight of the Red Sea coral reefs among shark within the Red Sea was the first science education and awareness the local community, SOSF has helped project, formed in conjunction with the campaign, releasing a ragged tooth to establish a marine protected area. University of London. Today this has shark (Carcharias taurus), from the grown into an invaluable global In 2000, through contacts made during Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa, database. The Red Sea, as the world’s global diving expeditions, financial back into the wild with satellite youngest ocean (at just over five million support was provided to enable the tracking equipment that provided years old), is a unique and diverse satellite tagging and DNA sampling of information about the migration and marine environment, covering over the giant manta rays (Manta birostris) off habits of the ragged tooth sharks 440,000 square kilometers. Having the coast of Mexico to help determine living in African waters. survived major ice ages and large migratory patterns and the impact of Financial support was also provided for variations in sea levels, the studies fishing on this species. a research doctorate into the behavioral within the Red Sea also highlighted the In the Iziko South African Museum ecology of white sharks (Carcharadon rapid decline of its reef-building corals. in Cape Town, we supported a large carcharias) in False Bay, South Africa The Red Sea is home to a myriad of ‘Sharkworld’ exhibition, that identifies in order to gain insights into and help marine species, including a variety of the origin, evolution and diversity of establish guidelines for the protection of pelagic fish and apex predators such as sharks worldwide. It provides key this endangered species. silky sharks not generally seen around information to help dispel the numerous inshore reefs. The quality and stability These projects marked the first stages negative myths about their behavior. of the reef ecosystem is being damaged in promoting the importance of by a combination of over-fishing, preserving our fragile marine ecology. commercial development, pollution and The founder could see the importance global warming. of scientific knowledge in informing and influencing governments, industry and 6 the public about the need for better As the scope of SOSF work has Alongside its funding of research into protection of both marine creatures broadened, the number of potential marine environmental and conservation and their habitats. Establishing SOSF projects requesting financial backing issues, SOSF’s investment in expanding has enabled him to leave a lasting has increased. On average, SOSF now educational programs is also fundamental. legacy for future generations. receives some 200 proposals for funds Raising awareness among adults about annually. All projects are monitored pollution and over-fishing is important In September 2003, SOSF was officially with regular reporting and feedback but, perhaps more crucially, instilling the registered as a Swiss foundation, with to ensure that they are fulfilling their right attitude towards the use and abuse headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. agreed targets. SOSF has earned a great of the planet’s natural resources from an The mission statement for the deal of respect both because of its early age will have a profound effect on organization: ‘Awareness, protection, professionalism, and the quality of the the future. Educating the next generation preservation and conservation of the projects supported.